Page 104 of A Whisper in the Shadows
Maxwell nodded. “I hope Chisholm isn’t too upset that we discovered the killer, particularly since he probably spent time interrogating Nevill today. I imagine he won’t be happy that he didn’t catch Nevill in his lies.”
“Nevill has fooled everyone,” Tilda said. “I think Chisholm will just be grateful the case is solved.”
Hadrian returned to the table and asked Draper and Furnier if they could meet the following day to come up with a plan to repay the members.
“I still say we try to maintain the society,” Draper said. “Especially if there isn’t enough money to refund everyone. We can do it. I’d be happy to step in as the third administrator since Nevill can’t continue.” He stared at Furnier expectantly, as if he were the sole arbiter of whether the society lived or died. Tilda supposed that was true, since he was the only remaining person who’d started it.
Furnier looked at his wife, who gave him a slight nod. “I’ll consider it.”
“You should appoint him,” Hadrian said. “If the society is to continue, you need another administrator.”
“I said I’d consider it.” Furnier inclined his head toward Hadrian. “I’ll meet you at Draper’s house tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
A few minutes later, Chisholm arrived with a pair of constables. He was furious that Nevill had lied to him repeatedly and did not believe Nevill’s insistence that he hadn’t killed anyone. In fact, he was going to recommend Nevill be charged with murdering both Eaton and Phelps.
Whilst Maxwell spoke with Chisholm for a few minutes, Tilda and Hadrian stepped away.
“You didn’t see anything when you touched Nevill?” Tilda asked.
“I saw a longer version of when he came upon Eaton’s body. In the memory, he entered the house and walked into the parlor. I felt his shock and anguish at seeing the dead man. I’m confident he didn’t kill Eaton. What’s more, I’m not entirely convinced he possesses the amount of immorality or desperation necessary to have killed Phelps.”
“That’s an interesting way of putting it,” Tilda said. She glanced toward Chisholm. “For now, we must allow the police to do what they will.”
The constables placed handcuffs on Nevill, who had started sobbing again, and led him from the room. Chisholm and Maxwell approached Tilda and Hadrian.
Chisholm’s brows were drawn tightly together, and his lips were pursed. He did not look pleased. “Apparently, you withheld information from me this morning regarding a night soil man.” He glanced at Maxwell, who must have just informed him of the evidence they’d accumulated against Nevill.
“We didn’t have solid information when we saw you,” Tilda said smoothly. “And once we had a strong suspicion as to Nevill’sinvolvement, we came up with this plan to hopefully provoke him to confess. I’m glad it worked.”
“You should have told me everything this morning so that I could have interviewed the night soil man,” Chisholm said tersely. “Instead, I wasted my time with Nevill, who continued to lie.”
“I daresay he won’t be lying anymore,” Hadrian said. He met Chisholm’s gaze with what Tilda would describe as his best earl expression—it exuded authority and did not encourage debate. “All’s well that ends well, isn’t it, Inspector?”
“This is not how I care to conduct my investigations.” Chisholm slid an angry glower toward Maxwell. “Your investigation is also complete.”
Maxwell didn’t appear at all bothered by Chisholm’s ire. “We’ve a few loose ends to tie up with the society. I imagine we will conclude our investigation at the Amicable Society meeting on Monday evening.”
“Well, I need all three of you to come to Old Jewry tonight to explain everything you know.” Chisholm turned and went to speak with the Furniers, who’d lingered near the far end of the table, before leaving.
Mr. and Mrs. Draper had already departed the meeting room, as had Mrs. Atkins. Now, Mr. Furnier was watching Tilda, Hadrian, and Maxwell warily.
“It’s suspicious that we’ve spent so much time speaking with the inspector,” Tilda murmured.
Maxwell moved closer to the Furniers. “What did the inspector say to you? He asked us to come to the police station to give testimony.”
“He asked us to do the same,” Furnier replied. “That’s all he asked of you?”
Hadrian nodded. “He also expressed his appreciation for our help in catching Phelps’s murderer.”
“And Eaton’s.” Furnier blinked. “I’m in shock that Nevill would do any of this. I believed he had a kind heart. He’s certainly…friendlier than I am.”
Mrs. Furnier patted her husband’s arm. “Friendliness is not goodness. Mr. Phelps was friendly enough too.”
Furnier vaguely nodded. “The inspector said Dr. Giles is at the police station giving his testimony now. I’d like to speak with him about the society.” He looked to Maxwell and Hadrian. “We really were trying to protect this fledgling society. It seems Phelps never meant for it be successful, but we did.”
“I hope you will decide to sustain it,” Maxwell said. “I agree with Draper that it’s a benefit to the ward.”